Letters to the Editor

Miracle food isn't made on unnecessary research

It surprised me when some people termed the recently published TDS article “Miracle food made in Bangladesh” (June 9) as “based on the false propaganda of Dr. Tahmeed team on the unnecessary research…available ingredients”. According to WHO, SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) is a life threatening condition where children need urgent medical care comprised of therapeutic food. The current estimate of children suffering from SAM in Bangladesh is 600,000 which is an unacceptably high figure.  RUTF (Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food) is like a medicine. The icddr,b research team has clearly stated that it's never meant to feed the normal children but those suffering from SAM.

                And also, we must not forget that Bangladesh is a country with natural disasters like flood, drought, cyclone etc. During those calamities, the children of the affected families become seriously vulnerable to shortage of food. We need something that will work as a recovery from severe acute malnourished state of children in an urgent and cost effective way. RUTF is made of locally available ingredients and hence, cost effective.  

Tasnia Zia, Dhaka

Control traffic jam in Moghbazar-Mouchak area

Experts say that unplanned urbanisation and traffic mismanagement in the capital are the main reasons for traffic congestions. Moreover, around 36,000 new motor vehicles join the city roads every year. But the roads are rarely expanded or improved.

                At present, the construction of Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover has congested the roads in that area which affects all other parts of the city. We fear the situation might be unbearable during the Holy month of Ramadan because markets and shopping malls located in Moghbazar-Mouchak area would be filled with Eid shoppers. We hope the authority concerned would do something to improve the situation in the Moghbazar-Mouchak during Ramadan.  

Mobarak Ali, Gopibagh, Dhaka